How I Created Evolution – A Five Step Process

It’s not often that I’ll share my process with you on how I create an illustration from beginning to end for a few reasons. Namely, it’s uber difficult when hit with inspiration to stop what you are working on and scan that in or take photos of it in equally timed steps. Two, it’s apparent that one runs the risk of being copied and I’m not talking about being inspired or learning from another artists work. Where would any artist be without being inspired! Three, I’m shy.

So, here I am revealing to you how I created this whimsical illustration aptly entitled Evolution.

Step 1 – Ink on paper

Using Faber Castell Pitt Artist Pens I drew the mandala shape freehand on Strathmore flower petal paper. I do not draw in pencil first and then ink over top. I eliminated that step a while back. I tend to use the Brush (B) tip to draw the illustration with and refine it with both the Fine (F) tip and Small (S) tip artist pens.

Update – And thanks to Lorrie who asked “how big is it?” Final finished size is 8×8 inches / 20,3cm by 20,3cm.

Step 2 – Watercolour on ink

By painting a thin wash of watercolour within the petals and varying shapes I created the underpainting of the illustration. I paint using Windsor & Newton Watercolour with a #8 long handled Deserres Turquoise Brush.

Step 3 – Coloured pencil

Step 4 – Ink details and coloured pencil refinement

I added the central stamens using a white opaque Pilot pen and added highlights with minuscule little dots to the ocher green watercolour. These pens are great and will remain opaque on most darker surfaces. And I added green ocher ink to the outer perimeter of the mandala.

Step 5 – Final

Drawing feathery wisps using a pretty pink Pilot pen I finished the outer perimeter of the Mandala and added a similar shade of pink with coloured pencil to create the illusion of melon… Well, that’s what I’ll call it. Melon.

I do pencil and ink over still, depending on what it is. I am working on an anniversary postcard in ink commision, and involves letterting and dates, etc, and the whole thing needs to be fairly symetrical…so can’t leave anything to chance. However, if it’s an abstract, I just see where the pen takes me…

I have a technical question to ask. Do you tap your paper down to a surface like a desk or board so that it doesn’t warp? Just curious. I do that if I work with any kind of paper and then also blow dry the hell out of it so the water evaporates. I was just wondering how you deal with that situation.

paintedskywoman – If I am painting on watercolor paper then yes, I tape the paper down to a board; sometimes matboard or illustration board. This piece I created loose and sparingly applied the watercolour so it would remain flat. It was not taped.

Very cool piece you’ve created here.
I was just thinking, maybe two days ago….wish I could pick her brain and here you’ve picked it for me! Oddly enough, your steps are very similar to mine. Although, I’m not wild about watercolor. I need to have an attitude adjustment with this… I was asked recently if I’d ever played with watercolor pencils…I haven’t…time for some changes.
Thank you for reading my mind! k

First, Melon is so, so, so, pretty and when you go through the process all the little details of the illustration stand out. You’ve got me interested in the Pilot pens I’m gonna have to do some hunting around

Heather – Staples carries Pilot g-tec C4 pens which i use quite often however if you live in the US they will not be available. they are only sold in Canada, the UK and Japan. There is a site called jetpens that you can take a look at.

Loved reading this! It’s always great to see progress pics. It makes you really appreciate the time and effort that’s put into every piece. I especially loved being able to see all the details in that final close-up pic.

That was very interesting. Because I am not a pencil and paint artist I had no clue how you used coloured pencils with the other mediums, so I am grateful to learn how you did that.
I also wondered how you made certain colours POP. Now I understand.
Very cool.